Joe Hart says Arne Engels did something he’s never seen just before penalty miss for Celtic v Young Boys

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Celtic made life difficult for themselves in an action-packed game against Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Arne Engels watched his penalty saved in the first half, as Brendan Rodgers would have been left baffled at his team going into the half-time break goalless.

With play-off football on the horizon, Celtic started the game like a house on fire, but proceeded to have several goals ruled out for offside in what was an outstanding start to the game.

But with less than five minutes left on the clock, the Bhoys were still looking for that goal, before a Loris Benito own goal provided that all-important win for the champions of Scotland and progression to the play-off stages.

The noise inside Celtic Park was electric, with the only downside being the fact that Daizen Maeda was sent off towards the end.

Everyone in green and white colours would have been relieved by that win and nobody would have been more relieved than Engels.

Joe Hart notices Arne Engels’ stutter before his penalty miss

Engels had a 100% penalty record heading into this game, but he practically passed the ball to the Young Boys keeper and it was an easy save.

In truth, it summed up a dramatic and frustrating first half, with Joe Hart noticing something about Celtic’s main penalty-taker.

Hart stated that he had never seen Engels ‘stutter’ before because he did just that as he took his penalty, as he told TNT Sports.

“I’ve not seen that stutter before from Engels,” said Hart. “He had to re-take his penalty against Ross County last time out. It’s a good save from a poor penalty.

“Engels wanted him to go early and he didn’t, soft penalty and a good save.”

Engels’ stats for Celtic against Young Boys in the Champions League

All that matters is the end result, three points and progression into the play-offs because that’s what everyone wanted.

Engels was handed a start, especially given the quality of midfielders on the bench, as he might now be that regular starter alongside Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate.

The Belgium international was handed a rating of 6.59 by WhoScored for his performance against Young Boys.